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A new pop-up restaurant begins a run Sunday evening, although that wasn't the original plan.

Hot Joy, a new Asian-inspired comfort-food restaurant from Quealy Watson, formerly the chef at the Monterey, and Chad Carey, one of the restaurant's co-owners, is opening for dinner today and Monday.

It's taking place at the Monterey, 1127 S. St. Mary's St.

Pop-ups, for the uninitiated, are restaurants that operate in a spot that's not usually a restaurant or during the off-hours of an existing restaurant. Los Angeles chef Ludo Lefebvre is credited with popularizing the concept.

Hot Joy will be open 6-10 p.m. on subsequent Sundays and Mondays, a time when the restaurant usually would be closed.

(This isn't to be confused with House of Joy, the subject of this week's “Dining on a Budget” review on Page H7.)

Watson and Carey had planned to open their restaurant in the former Los Pinos, 1702 Broadway, but legal issues with the building held up the process.

Since the duo had the menu designed, they decided to move forward and will do the pop-up two nights a week for a while.

They designed the offerings to appeal to diners who want affordable Asian-style food that's also interesting to food nerds.

“I think we'd like to make it find a permanent home,” Carey said. How long that will take is up in the air.

One caution: As a pop-up, expect it to be a work in progress.

Still, here's hoping for a new wave of pop-ups.

Taco history

Historian Jeffrey Pilcher is coming to town to discuss the history of tacos and his latest book, “Planet Taco.”

In his book, Pilcher traces the origins and evolution of Mexico's national cuisine; explores how it turned into Mexican American fast food; shows how surfers became global pioneers of Mexican food; and discusses how Corona beer conquered the world.

His appearance is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Twig, 200 E. Grayson St., Suite 124. He'll also sign his book.

Mangia, mangia!

All this month, Maggiano's restaurants are donating a meal to Feeding America, a nationwide hunger-relief charity, with every purchase of a Classic Pasta item.

What's more, the restaurant chain will donate a meal when diners purchase any entrée on Monday, and it will give all patrons another meal to take home for later.

Already, the restaurant gives customers who order a Classic Pasta a meal to take home. Monday's offer combines the additional meal with the donation.

The location at 17603 I-10 W. is participating.

Nationally, the restaurant hopes to donate 1 million meals this month.

Bean burger memories

Last week's article in Taste about bean burgers brought some calls from readers who remember their long-gone favorites, including Ringo's on West Avenue; Johnny Burgers near West Avenue and Vance Jackson Road; and a place on Ruiz Street that served bean patties and called them beanburgers.